House to debate China Hub bill Thursday (AUDIO)

The Missouri House will take up the jobs bill previously known as the China Hub. The bill was passed out of committee Wednesday night, amid some controversy.

The House Economic Development Committee has passed the long-debated jobs bill onto the floor for discussion, but without allowing committee members to offer amendments. Chair Ann Zerr says she didn’t allow any amendments to be added or even heard by the committee because the bill is so complicated, it would slow the process down.

Representative Stephen Webber says he expects House leadership won’t allow Democrats amendments to be heard on the floor, and that discounts the millions of Missourians who are represented by Democrats.

He was one of three Democrats who wanted to offer an amendment but couldn’t during committee. The House has no other legislation to debate Thursday.